The Faster Lane
from Tyler Brûlé
Learn a look, lighten the load
Happy Easter, bunnies, from a breezy terrace above a modernist stretch of Lisbon. A couple of days ago I decided that this column will occasionally be devoted to life in the Portuguese capital as…
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Talent pool: What the Swiss get right about outdoor amenities
It has been one of those weeks where “that book” that I’ve been working on for a rather long time has been tugging at my shirt tails, demanding attention. It all started when I…
As summer hits its heights, it’s time to press pause and reset
Is it safe to say that we’re at the midpoint for summer in the northern hemisphere? Or am I being a little over-optimistic? Many Finns and Swedes are already back at work, Swiss schools…
At the top of the game: Olympic spirit, American ambition and the case against athleisure
It’s exactly 12 hours since Celine Dion stood on the lower deck of the Eiffel Tower and belted out “L’Hymne à l’amour” while securely tethered to the ironwork in her Dior gown. For the…
The use of extreme language to garner media attention is growing. Let’s dial back on the theatrics
Good morning. Is all well in your corner of the world? How’s winter in Wellington? Waiting for longer, sunnier days in Melbourne? What about the Monocle crowd in the Med? All good on Antiparos…
A village, town or city need only stick to its values and rhythms of life to keep the tourism numbers in check
We start today by picking up where we left off last Saturday: in the sunny heart of Südtirol. After a gentle hike and lunch at the Vigilius mountain resort, it was back down to…
A couple of travel related questions from Monocle friends and readers could help you to plan your next trip
It’s Friday afternoon at Villa Arnica in Lana, Südtirol, and guests are slowly rolling in for a weekend that has been almost five months in the planning. Two years ago we booked out this…
Space devoted to print media continues to vanish. We should be nourishing people on page – not just on screen
It’s 14.00 (British Summer Time) on Saturday and I’m in my corner-office perch at Midori House filing this column while waiting for a little lunch delivery from the grill three floors below. It has…
Hold the phone: Getting personal on call matters
This is a tale of two calls: one crisp, familiar and efficient and the other more marathon in nature – at times deliriously frustrating – but one that also had an efficient outcome. Earlier…
Why a little recognition goes a long way in living a happy life
There was a lot of talk about blue zones during my travels this week. I’m quite sure that you’re familiar with the concept but if not, we’re talking about those pockets of the planet…
Facing the music: Japan Airlines is a perfect example of traditional in-flight service
There’s a certain ritual that comes with filing this column from Tokyo. It’s usually written pre-dinner from the sofa of room 4701 at the Park Hyatt. Normally, there’s a glass of wine and a…
